In an effort to boost sales of its Xbox video game console, Microsoft Corp. is offering a one-year subscription to its online gaming service for 6,800 yen (dlrs 55) in Japan.
The starter package for Xbox Live, a service planned for North America, Europe and Japan this fall, will also include the online game "Phantasy Star Online" from Japanese game-maker Sega Corp., Microsoft said Tuesday.
In the United States, Microsoft's introductory offer for a year's subscription to Xbox Live costs dlrs 49.
Xbox trails Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Co.'s GameCube in worldwide sales, but online gaming is one area the more powerful Xbox has a chance to one-up its rivals.
Thirty-nine software makers are now planning 47 online games for the Xbox in Japan, Microsoft said.
Sony started selling online gaming adapters for the PlayStation 2 in Japan in May. The Japanese electronics giant has one online game out in Japan and about 30 more are in the works, according to Sony Computer Entertainment in Tokyo.
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